Off-center lock



April l953 ,1. F. GRAYSON 2,634,474

OFF-CENTER LOCK Filed June 21, 1.951

INVENTOR A'ITORNEYB Patented Apr. 14, 1953 OFF-CENTER LOCK John F. Grayson, San Diego, Calif.-

Application June 21, 1951, Serial No. 232,853 2 Claims. (01. 24-125) '1 This invention relates to an off-center lock, and more particularly to such a lock for clamping a cable, rope. or rod in a desired position.

A primary object of the invention is the provision of an improved two-part device adapted to be applied to one or more strands of a cable or a rope to one or more rodsfor securing the same against slippage or disengagement.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a lock of this nature characterized by two interengageable parts, each provided with longitudinally extending bores or slots, preferably the latter, the arrangement being such that the bores are located off-center relative to each other, whereby upon relative rotation of the parts, a clamping effect on any object inserted in the slots may be effected.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a clamping or locking device of this character which is sturdy and durable in construction, reliable and efiicient in operation, not subject to slippage and inexpensive to manufacture, assemble and utilize.

Other objects will in part be obvious and in part be pointed out as the description of the invention proceeds and shown in the accompanying drawings wherein there is disclosed a preferred form of this inventive concept.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of one form of device embodying features of the instant invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 22 of Fig. 1 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of one of the component parts of the device;

Fig. 4 is a similar view of the other component part; and.

Fig. 5 is a top plan view showing the assembled device in clamping or looking position.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawmgs.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that the device is comprised of two generally cylindrical members I0 and II, respectively. The member I0 is provided with an interiorly threaded recess I2 adapted for threaded engagement with a stud I3 carried by the member II. Each member is provided with a pair of oppositely disposed flats I4 and I5, respectively, to permit the device to be readily engaged by a tool such as a wrench or the like. The member I0 is provided with a pair of oppositely disposed slots I1 extending longitudinally thereth'rough 'itbeing noted that the angle of inclination of the slots is off-set relative to the radius of the member ID, these slots being inclined relative to" theradius of the device in onedirection. v

Member His provided with a corresponding pair of off-center angularly disposed slots I8 xtending longitudinally 'therethrough, it being pointed out that when the device is in assembled position, the inclinationof the slots relative to each other is such that when'in alignment a rope, cable or rod I9 maybe inserted readily in the slot but when the componentparts of the device are rotated relative to each other a clamping action is effected. g V

This clamping action is effected as followseach of the slots II has a parallel side IIa and Ill) and a symmetrical semi-circular bight I10, the sides I'Ia referred to as the inner sides of each slot I! being radially disposed relative to member ID and in radial alignment, and the sides I'Ib referred to as the outer sides, being oppositely disposed, one on one side of the radial line of sides IIa and the other on the other side. The bights We of each slot are thus oppositely disposed on opposite sides of and equidistant from a diametric line through the center of member I0. Similarly each of the slots I8 has parallel sides Mia and I81) and a symmetrical semi-circular bight I80, the sides I8a referred to as the inner sides of each slot I8 being radially disposed relative to member I0 and in radial alignment, and the sides IBb referred to. as the outer sides being oppositely disposed, one on one side of the radial line of sides Mia and the other on the other side. The bights I8c of each slot are thus oppositely disposed on opposite sides of and equidistant from a diametric line through the center of member I0.

However, when members I0 and II are in coacting relation, the outer sides IIb are oppositely disposed relative to corresponding outer sides I8b so that at no time are the slots in perfect registry with their inner and outer sides parallel. As shown in Figure 5, when bight portions I10 and I are in registry sides Na and Ill) are disposed at an acute angle relative to corresponding sides I8a and H31), the side of the angle increasing as the degree of registry of the bights is decreased progressively to decrease the size of the registry portion of the slots and effect a clamping action.

Obviously, a single strand of cable or a single rod may be clamped, as shown in Fig. 2, or as many additional strands of cable or as many additional rods as there are slots may be held against slippage or disengagement.

Additional embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and additional modifications may be made in the embodiment hereinbefore shown and set forth; for example, the slots may be one or more, as few or as many as desired. It is to be understood that all matter herein is to be. interpreted merely as illustrative and not in alimiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. 'In a device of the character described, an internally threaded circular member, and a member of corresponding diameter having an externally threaded circular projection engageable,

in coaxial relation therewith, each of said members having a parallel sided sIot therein, the slots being coextensive, each slot having a radially disposed inner side and a radially ofiset outer 7 side and arbight portion between the inner and outer'sid'es, the outer side of the slotof one memher being oppositely disposed from a diametric line. through the centers of said members, relative to the outer side of the slot of the other member, said bight portions thus being ofiset relative to a diametric line and hence to each other whereby when said bight portions are in registry said inner and outer sides of one slot are angularly disposedrelative to the inner and outer. sides of the other slot and rotation of said membersrelative to each other will, increase the angleof offset of said'sides and decrease the area ofregistry of said bight. portion to efiect a clamping action on an article inserted through said bight portion.

her of corresponding diameter having an externally threaded circular projection engageable in coaxial relation therewith, each of said members having pairs of oppositely disposed parallel sided slots therein, the slots being coextensive, each slot having a radially disposed inner side and a radially ofiset outer side and a bight portion between the inner and outer sides, the outer sides of the slots of onemember being oppositely disposed from a diametric line through the'centers of said members, relative to the outer sides of the slots of the other member and the outer sides of each pair of slots being oppositely disposed relative to each other, said bight portions thus being offset relative to a diametric line and hence to each other whereby when said bight References Cited. in. the file of this atent UNITED STATES-PATENTS Number Name a Date 501,485 1 Ball July 18, 1.893 1,997,430 'Peirce Apr. 9,1935 2,565,605 Grayson, Aug. 28, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country 4 Date,

610,301 France Y Sept. 3, 1926 

